THE battle for the return of the big screen to Kidderminster is hotting up with the submission of a second plan.

B&Q has submitted its proposal for a four-screen cinema, with two restaurants and "Big W" Woolworths store on the out-of-town centre Crossley Retail Park site.

However, Wyre Forest District Council would have to depart from current planning zoning to allow the proposal. The site is currently designated for bulky goods use only.

The bid follows Centros Miller's application for a six-screen, 900-seat cinema on the town centre Weavers' Wharf development.

The rivals are slugging it out to become the first silver-screen operator in town for 20 years.

Both proposals are self-financing. The successful applicant would be the first cinema operator in Kidderminster since the ABC closed in 1982.

Meanwhile, civic watchdogs have backed the Crossley Park scheme but are opposing the Weavers' Wharf proposal.

Kidderminster Civic Society said the current zoning for Crossley Park should not be at the expense of the town's commercial interests.

It stressed the plan would not spoil the rest of the development, would have easy access for vehicles and plentiful parking.

And the two proposed restaurants would add more choice to the current restaurant in the Sainsbury complex.

However, the society said the Weavers' Wharf proposal was lacking in vital information.

There was no environmental or traffic assessment and no information on parking.

The application also did not name an operator or state if there was a binding contract for one.

Chairman Nick Hughes said: "Unless this information is made public, the application should be treated with great reserve.

"This information should be sought and made public before further consideration is given."

The society felt the plan would detract from the development as a pleasant canal-side terrace.

It also opposed the demolition of heritage structure the Piano Building.

Meanwhile, former district council leader Mike Oborski, who led the authority's cinema negotiations before the administration changed last month, has launched a petition calling for the council to ensure it gets a cinema.